5:48 PM,
Oct. 30, 2013

Amstrup

Written by

Steven C. Amstrup

Each year in early November, polar bears gather on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, as they wait for the autumn freeze. The bears are eager to return to the sea ice where they can resume catching seals, their favored prey, and break their summerlong fast. I'm eager as well - for more enlightened public policies that better protect polar bears and our planet.

Over the past three decades, the ice-free period during which polar bears must fast has increased by nearly a day per year. But natural variation could make this year's freeze-up later or earlier than the long-term trend would predict.